A vibrant new mural, Love Feeds Everybody, proudly supported by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, is bringing colour and comfort to the Level 2 Café at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, creating a space of acceptance and inclusion for all families.
For some families, learning that their child requires tube feeding can be confronting, particularly given limited and sometimes negative portrayals of tube feeding in broader culture. These feeding methods are essential for children with a variety of health conditions, from prematurity and congenital anomalies to chronic illnesses. These feeding methods are vital for supporting children’s growth and wellbeing, and the mural aims to normalise tube feeding, challenge stigma, and foster hope and inclusion.
The project was initiated by Clare McGuiness, WCH parent and advocate, in partnership with a dedicated team of WCH Dietitians, Speech Pathologists, Home Enteral Nutrition Nurses, and Food Services staff. Drawing on lived experience and evidence highlighting the importance of hopefulness and normalcy in tube-feeding care, the mural was designed to support families, affirm the experiences of tube-fed children, and enhance the shared café environment for all patients, families, and staff.
“Representations of tube feeding in our culture are often negative and overly medicalised. However, it is simply a different way for people to maintain adequate nutrition,” shared Clare McGuiness. “This mural does so much to support the tube feeding community that come to the hospital.”
The artwork was brought to life by visual artist Billie Justice Thomson, who collaborated closely with hospital families and staff, guided by the WCHN Tube Feeding Consumer Group. The design celebrates all feeding journeys, from breastfeeding and bottle-feeding to tube-feeding and beyond. It reinforces the message that every child belongs and deserves to feel supported in their place of care.
This wonderful initiative was proudly supported by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation Arts in Health program. Love Feeds Everybody serves as a powerful reminder that every child’s way of being nourished is valid and deserves to be celebrated.
A celebration of every feeding journey
The WCH Foundation were thrilled to host the official launch of the Love Feeds Everybody mural with a warm and joyful afternoon tea in the Level 2 Café at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Hospital executives, staff, families and supporters came together to celebrate the collaboration and message behind it, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to acceptance, inclusion and family-centred care.
Guests also heard from parent and advocate Clare McGuiness, artist Billie Justice Thomson and WCHN Executive Director, Sub-Acute and Allied Health Natalie Hood, who shared reflections on the meaning of the mural and the impact of representation and inclusion.
View photos from the event in the gallery below.
